It seems unfathomable, but there are just four weeks remaining in the 2014 NFL season. It seemed like just yesterday, the Chicago Bears were 2-1 with momentum and the Dallas Cowboys narrowly moved towards 2-1 after slipping past the St. Louis Rams. Things change quickly and as we look at the Week 14 games, the six playoff spots in the NFC are closer to being decided.
After the Cowboys and Bears square off on Thursday Night Football, the NFC North will take their part a few days later. In Minnesota, the Vikings are feeling elated after a decisive win and are now preparing for a winnable game against the hapless-New York Jets. While expectations were certainly low in Minnesota after losing Adrian Peterson, the Vikings are on the verge of picking up their sixth win of the year.
In the Motor City, Detroit had its spirits lifted on Thanksgiving by feasting on the Bears and turkey. While they were certainly disappointed to see Green Bay pull off the upset against New England, the Lions remain just a game back of the NFC North and a first-round bye. Things will get easier for them this week as Tampa Bay flies into town.
Dallas Cowboys @ Chicago Bears
A rare game featuring two teams who played on Thursday the previous week, Dallas and Chicago will square off with very different fates. Chicago was expected to be a contender this year but things fell apart quickly. While they remain on the fringe of a playoff hunt, they would have to find that special luck just to make it in. Dallas got off to a 6-1 start, but has cooled down as of late. They looked flat against the Philadelphia Eagles, but still remain alive in the NFC East race.
This could turn into one of the rare, close Thursday Night games fans have witnessed this season. It certainly shouldn't be a defensive battle, but rather a shootout between two offenses with great running backs and quarterbacks who love to take risks. While Tony Romo has an undeserved reputation for losing games in the fourth quarter, it will be the Cowboys' defense that comes back to bite them this week.
Player to Watch: Alshon Jeffery Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears
While Chicago's offense has certainly not lived up to expectations, coaches have to be happy with Jeffery's string of success in recent weeks. He tore through Detroit's secondary on quick passes, finding holes and breaking through lanes on his way to nine receptions and two touchdowns versus the Lions. Two weeks prior, he hauled in 11 receptions for 135 yards versus the Vikings. Now he faces a pedestrian Cowboys' secondary who have struggled in recent weeks. This should be a great opportunity for Jeffery to build upon his success and provide momentum for 2015.
Prediction: Bears 31 Cowboys 28
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
While Green Bay is the talk of the NFL circles, this week, many forget Detroit is just a game back from slipping right past the Packers and taking the No.2 seed in the NFC. Both teams have very winnable games over the next three weeks before they square off in Week 17 to decide the NFC North crown and who gets home field advantage.
While it's a week-to-week league, Detroit can start preparing for their next opponent as Tampa Bay should pose little problem. Josh McCown will be unable to move the ball versus this defense and the Buccaneers' don't have the capability on defense to win a 10-7 game. The Lions will break out to an early lead thanks to Calvin Johnson and never look back as they use this week to demonstrate how great their defense can be,
Player to Watch: Larry Warford Offensive Guard, Detroit Lions
One of Detroit's most crucial players could return to the field this week and it couldn't have come at a better time. Warford will be needed against Gerald McCoy, who is one of the best and most unrecognized defensive players in the league. The two squared off last year and Warford handled himself very well. Warford may not be as effective in this game, he is returning from a knee injury that kept him out since Week 10. This game won't be close for long, so fans might as well enjoy a great battle in the trenches.
Prediction: Lions 27 Buccaneers 10
New York Jets @ Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota has a chance to build upon the foundation for the future this week as each win provides one more stepping stone for greater success the following year. The Vikings have won three of their past five games and are inching closer to .500, which would be a remarkable achievement given the roller-coaster ride the 2014 season has been.
New York will find some success with Chris Ivory at times, but Minnesota's defense is ready to devour Geno Smith and his friends. A few early turnovers can take the pressure off of Bridgewater and the offensive line, allowing Teddy Bridgewater to start in good field position and look towards Kyle Rudolph and Charles Johnson to get into the end zone. It takes time to build a franchise and we will see more glimpses of the Vikings' promising future this Sunday against the Jets.
Player to Watch: Xavier Rhodes Cornerback, Minnesota Vikings
While fantasy football owners have focused on the struggles of WR Cordarrelle Patterson and NFL fans admire what HC Mike Zimmer has done for the Vikings defense, it's important to shed the spotlight on Rhodes. The second-year cornerback has been exceptional over the past month, with his best performance coming against Jordy Nelson. Rhodes excelled once again last week versus Kelvin Benjamin a physical wide receiver who Rhodes was able to shutdown Benjamin. While Rhodes faces a lower-quality matchup versus Eric Decker, Sunday's game provides an outstanding opportunity to watch one of the young, developing stars in this game.
Prediction: Vikings 24 Jets 13
*Atlanta Falcons @ Green Bay Packers preview will come out later this week.